Research Asst II-Endocrine Neoplasia and HD Research

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's 2001-2022 rankings.

It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. Since 1944, almost 1.8 million people have turned to MD Anderson for cancer care.

The institution pioneered a multidisciplinary approach to research-driven care. In Fiscal Year 2021, MD Anderson invested more than $1.03 billion in research.

More than 4,846 trainees take part in educational programs at MD Anderson each year. The institution awards degrees in 10 bachelor's programs and two master's program in allied health disciplines. In collaboration with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, MD Anderson awards M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

SUMMARY

The Research Assistant II position is to perform biological experiments, organize, and maintain laboratory conditions. The goal of the research group is to study bone metastases and its effect in organs such as muscle, brain and pancreas. The ideal candidate for the Research Assistant II should expect to work on animal (rodent) models, and perform molecular biological experiments using standard laboratory techniques, but not limited to extraction of DNA/RNA, PCR-based genotyping, western blotting, and other such techniques.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

1. Research support

• • Mice work
    • Experienced in handling mice and in colony maintenance
    • Perform injections in mice, collect blood and tissues
    • Experienced or open to learn mini survival surgeries such as ovariectomy, orchiectomy and implantation of subcutaneous minipumps
    • Assist researchers with imaging studies using micro-CT and X-ray/DXA for which training will be provided
    • Keep stock of materials needed for animal works such as sutures, tools, anesthetics
  • Molecular biology
    • Experience in basic DNA, RNA and protein isolation
    • PCR and western blotting
  • Cell culture
    • Culture tumor cells and other cell lines using aseptic technique
    • Maintain cell line stocks and keep up to date inventory

2. Record keeping and data analysis

• Accurately maintains mice colony records
• Assist in analyzing experimental data as and when required under supervisory guidance
• Comply with chemical safety procedures and biological safety procedures, attend annual safety courses required by MDA
• Performs general duties, monitoring stocks of supplies, performs general reagent preparation, ordering reagents.
• Assist the lab in maintaining lab safety records, inventory and other documentation needed for annual EHS inspection and IACUC inspection.

3. Teamwork and professional development:

• Reads literature and confers with supervisor regarding new procedures and modifies them according to the needs of the project.
• Interact effectively with faculty, postdoctoral fellows, staff and graduate students and with the staff at the animal facility
• Assist other laboratory employees with experiments and/or various work assignments when help is requested or as schedule permits.

4. Other duties as required.

Service Orientation
Provide service to our stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, colleagues and each other, in a safe, courteous, accountable, efficient and innovative manner to include:

• Promoting inclusiveness and collegiality that demonstrates respect and professionalism to our stakeholders at all times
• Modeling safe, ethical behavior that mitigates risk to the institution through sound business practices, and adherence to MD Anderson's Standards of Conduct, institutional policies and procedures
• Responding to requests in a timely manner while proactively communicating expectations for procedures, service arrival, or project deliverables to stakeholders
• Using the steps to HEAL (Hear, Empathize, Address and Learn) the relationship when service recovery is needed

Customer Focus
Builds and maintains customer satisfaction with the products and services offered by the organization through skills demonstrated in communication, personalization of interaction, regulation of emotions, and proactive problem solving.

Performance Statement Examples

• Presents a cheerful, positive manner with customers either on the phone or in person. Shows interest in, actively listens to and responds in a clear and timely manner to customer's expressed needs.
• Focuses on the customer's results, rather than own. Goes beyond basic service expectations to help customers implement complete solutions through personalized service that anticipates the customer's unspoken needs.
• Delivers services when and where the customer needs them. Explores options when unable to deliver a requested product or service, and pursues solutions until the customer is satisfied by addressing the root cause of the issue. Problem solves with patient, family member, care giver or clinical team to aid in proactively resolving issues and concerns.
• Provides to customers status reports and progress updates. Seeks customer feedback and ensures needs have been fully met.

Talks to customers (internal and external) with a pleasant tone to find out what they need and how satisfied they are with the service. Remains in control of own reactions and responds in a manner that demonstrates appropriate nonverbal cues and complements the customer's emotions in the situation. Recognizes when its is necessary to escalate situations to leadership to ensure customer satisfaction.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree with major course works in one of the basic sciences.

EXPERIENCE: One year experience in scientific or experimental research work.

No experience required with preferred degree.

PREFERRED DEGREE: Master's degree

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html